MAHONING VALLEY, Ohio - For families who rely on federal programs, the biggest concern and question is how long the shutdown will last and if those benefits will be impacted.

Audrey Morales, the director of Mahoning County Jobs and Family Services, stated that SNAP and Ohio Works First benefits will remain available for now.

"We will continue to process the applications. We will continue to make sure that people receive their benefits through the month of October," Morales said.

Twenty-one thousand households in Mahoning County use SNAP benefits. Morales mentioned that if the shutdown continues beyond October, it is unclear what will happen to those benefits.

"Until then, Mahoning County Jobs and Family Services will continue to do what we're doing. Our workers will be here to process

See Full Page